Category: Investing

How To Become The Fourth Magi

Today is the 12th and the last day of Christmas for most Christians, especially from the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other mega-churches like the Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican churches, among others. It’s a Christmas feast called the Epiphany which celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.

We are all familiar about these three wise men in the traditional names of Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar who brought gifts to baby Jesus some 2,000 years ago. They may not bear those names in reality but this has captured the hearts of many Christians, children and adults alike. These are the “Three Kings” from the East who brought gold, myrrh, and frankincense. It is commonly accepted that they are the ones and their “giving” that are being celebrated today.

But it’s very interesting to note that a legendary writer Henry van Dyke wrote a story about “The Fourth Wise Man”. The story revolves around Artaban, a magi is the fourth wise man who desired to follow the star to the birthplace of the coming King, and was supposed to join the three other wise men, but misses the caravan because of too many “obstructions” along the way. Continue reading How To Become The Fourth Magi

Did You Borrow Money For Christmas and New Year Parties?

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day may have already gone but these days up to New Year’s Day are usually “reunion” days among families, classmates, barkadas, and some friends. So expect more unexpected spendings to come. Also, kids (and adults) will have to think over about what to do with their aguinaldo or cash gifts.

Our friend Ezra Ferraz compiled some advise for parents and kids to become financially-savvy especially during this Christmas season. You will find my advise at number 1 in this helpful article of Ezra at Rappler.com.

Unfortunately, inspite of all these priceless financial advise and suggestions, this festive period usually leave millions of people unable to pay their necessary bills in January next year. Especially those who were not able to monitor their use of credit cards, or worst, have borrowed money through loans (either personal or through 5/6 loan sharks) just to celebrate Christmas with a feast of food and gifts. Continue reading Did You Borrow Money For Christmas and New Year Parties?

My New Year Message To AngatPH Volunteers (and blog Readers)

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My fellow volunteers:

This coming New Year we will all continue to face challenges. Some are continuing ones and some maybe new. But there is one thing that all of us must remember, the challenges that we all face today and will face in the coming months, are not unique to each of us individually; they are truly common to all of us and are just presented in different shades and packages.

These challenges at times may appear to overwhelm us and make us feel that we are fighting a losing battle. There may be times that we feel that our will is being tested. But despite of all that, we always take comfort that we have our FAITH; we always believe that we can all rise and one day, be victorious because we choose to walk with our Lord Jesus Christ each in every day and night.

In Psalm 1:3, those who delight and follow the law of the Lord were described as “…like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.”

As we continue to seek God for His Word and follow his commands, like the trees described in the book of Psalms, we will all grow stronger and prosper with everything that we do. And to all us who continue to dare to dream big and aspire for success, let us not shy away from these challenges. Instead, let us embrace them, and believe that at God’s own choosing, the sacrifices that we use to water our trees will yield the fruit in each and every season, and we will celebrate and share our victory with all our loved ones.

Let us also remember that there are bigger things than our collective personal interests. Let us continue to make APCFL our own personal mission, to love others. Let God be our witness to teach others become abundant and grateful people of His Kingdom. Let us continue to serve our country and our countrymen. Not Yolanda or a Ruby or any aggressor will stop us from serving the people who need us most.

I am praying for every one of you and your loved ones and that we may all become wise and truly rich in every area of our lives this coming year.

God Bless you all. Thank you.

Burn Gutierrez